Judged by Mr Simon Pitts 

I would like to thank the committee for the honour of being invited to judge the championship show in this 45^th anniversary year. Always an enjoyable day with the Otterhounds, and a lovely atmosphere, even if the weather wasn’t as kind as it could be.

A good entry of hounds by today’s standards; I was pleased with my top winners, and lovely to see some promising babies for the future.

 

Puppy dog (1)

1^st Porter’s Ottaryx Vandal, 6 month promising baby with a frame to make a good hound when finished. Stands on good legs and feet, Head correct for age, excellent leather set, length and fold, body deep for age. Needs to gain his confidence and tighten up all round.

 

Junior dog(2)

1^st Lerego’s Teckelgarth Jardine, almost 12 months and well developed for age, Masculine head of good proportions giving a noble expression. Like his height to length proportions. Stands on excellent legs and feet, body mature for age, short strong loin, moderate angulation behind. On the move he covers the ground with his stern held correctly. BPIS

2^nd Porter’s Ottaryx Vintage, brother to the puppy dog, giving a lot away here in age, but another very promising baby I liked a lot. Lovely head and leathers, All the essentials are there; good bone, feet, body proportions, harsh textured coat, just needs time and confidence.

Limit Dog (1)

Nelson’s Olphae Druid, Mature male in excellent coat and condition, masculine head, low set leathers of very good length, well boned legs, has well sprung, deep ribs, short strong loin, and moderate angulation, moved ok.

 

Open Dog (4)

1^st Lewis’s Ch Olphae Charman, loved this B&T boy, oozes bred type, presents a very balance, correct outline, Masculine head and expression, low set leathers of very good length, well laid shoulders and return of upperarm, liked his width to front with good forehest which was lacking in many, deep well sprung ribs, strong, straight topline, short in loin, moderate, well muscled hindquarters. Stern set on high and carried perfectly. On the move has an effortless gait with reach and drive from behind. Immaculately presented and handled. Delighted to award him the CC &RBIS

 

2^nd Salt, Stinger & Lerego’s Ch Teckelgarth Dreadnought, Mature dog built on different lines being taller and rangier. Masculine head of good proportions, well boned legs and round feet, shoulders well laid, well off for anugulation at the rear, and stern well set. Moves with drive and precision, just preferred the overall picture of 1. ResCC

 

Puppy Bitch (1)

1^st Lewis’s Olphae Ember, 10 months, has the right make and shape to go far when she gains her confidence, lovely feminine head, good bone and feet, super body for age. Movement difficult to assess. I really liked her.

 

Limit Bitch (3)

1^st Harris’s Olphae Dawn, very balanced all through, feminine head, straight front, well laid shoulders, correctly angulated behind, coat in good order and correct texture. moved the soundest both ways which gave her the class.

2^nd Porter’s Ottaryx Quinevere, what a beautiful bitch, stunning head, oozes type, and presents a very good outline. Correctly angulated both ends, on the move she couldn’t match 1 for precision.

 

3^rd Shaw’s Ottaryx Rascal

 

Open (4)

1^st Lerego, Smith & Follett’s Ch Teckelgarth Ebony, stunning bitch, caught my eye on the first look around. Everything fits together seamlessly. Beautiful feminine head, low set leathers of good length and fold, strong neck into textbook front and shoulders, body is mature, deep and well sprung, topline firm well angulated behind which shows in her movement which is long, economical, and so sound with her stern carried correctly. Presented in full coat. Loved her. CC and BIS.

 

2^nd Finch’s Conestoga and Crossroads English Dream at Otterslade (imp USA), This bitch has so much to offer, is on the taller side, but is so very sound, straight front with good forechest, angles balanced both ends, coat of good texture, movement unsurprisingly is spot on,  liked her a lot, and I think should gain her title, she was very close to higher honours today. Very sympathetically handled.

 

3^rd Scott &Lerego’s Teckelgarth Zsa Zsa

 

Veteran Bitch (2)

1^st Ashworth, Ganna, Steffen’s Ch Dekenchar’s Willfull Via Kingstree (Imp USA) 8.5 year old, excels in type and balance. Balanced head with good length of leathers, strong neck into well laid shoulders, excellent rib and loin, scores in backend with correct moderate angulation, super width across the thigh. She moves with precision and drive, carrying her topline well. A little less weight would be to her advantage. ResCC and BVIS

2^nd Follett’s Am Ch Four Pillars Tahoe Turquoise (Imp USA), another  year old, built on racier lines than 1, Another good for breed type; built on a finer frame than 1, feminine head, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, straight front, mature body, presented in excellent coat and condition, just not as positive behind as 1.

 

 

The Otterhound Club 45th Anniversary Show 2023

Stakes Classes

I would like to thank the Otterhound Club for inviting me to judge the stakes class for this very special breed. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to go over so many lovely hounds and I would like to thank all exhibitors who entered under me, I was truly spoilt for choice and impressed with the quality of the hounds shown on the day.

Special Yearling Stakes Dog or Bitch

1.Porter’s Ottaryx Vintage** ~ 7 months old, lovely hound expression and eyes long leathers, good furnishings, nice length of neck, with good shoulder, bone and round feet., nice length of body, lovely to watch on the move, well balanced for age, a lot to like about this puppy.

2.Porter’s Ottaryx Vandal** ~ 7months old, litter brother to first place, darker in colour with more coat, good head and expression, long leathers, good front and deep chest, good feet, another lovely puppy.

Special Open Stakes Dog or Bitch

1.Finch’s Conestoga and Crossroads English Dream at Otterslade (Imp USA) ~ 2.5 years old, a beautiful upstanding bitch, lovely head with good furnishings and long well set leathers, long neck well set on shoulders with a straight topline. Good chest with good front and rear angulation, well balanced standing and excelled on the move.

2. Nelson’s Olphae Druid* ~ 2.5 year old male, good head and ear length, good front and shoulder, deep chest, nice angulation font and rear.

3. Scott and Lerego’s Tecklegarth Zsa Zsa, 5 year old bitch, Good furnishings and head, good coat, good chest and nice depth of chest.

Special members’ John Bell-Irving Memorial Stakes Dog or Bitch

1.Lewis’s Ch Olphae Charman** 5.5 year old male, good head and lovely hound expression, long leathers, deep strong chest, good angulation front and rear, looked well on the stack and on the move, well balanced and a lovely example of the breed.

2.Finch’s Conestoga and Crossroads English Dream at Otterslade (Imp USA), winner of the Special Open Stakes, hard to decide between 1 and 2, both lovely examples of the breed.

3.Ironquest’s First In All Things At Ottaryx (Imp USA) 3.5 year old bitch, shown in excellent condition after raising her litter, good head, hound expression and long leathers, good front and rear angulation, good deep chest, topline and excellent on the move, very sound.

I would also like to mention 3rd and reserve were awarded to veteran bitches, both 8 years old in excellent condition, lovely to see them both looking so well.

Evelyn Burnside (Houndseeker)